Aquatic Biology Degree in Anaheim, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Anaheim, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$88K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Anaheim
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Anaheim, CA Overview
Anaheim, California (pop. 350,365) has 19 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 117 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,729/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Anaheim is approximately $60,840.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
19
Public Tuition
$6,920/yr
Private Tuition
$37,099/yr
Room & Board
$16,938/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,487/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
53%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Anaheim (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Anaheim's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Anaheim adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Anaheim
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Anaheim tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,920 | Private avg: $37,099
Anaheim avg aid: $11,487/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,890
vs HS diploma in Anaheim
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Anaheim
$138,568
Lifetime earnings premium ($234,000) minus total education cost ($95,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Anaheim
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Anaheim for Aquatic Biology
Cal State Fullerton
public
$6,920/yr
$27,680 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Fullerton College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Anaheim
Anaheim offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Anaheim Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$73K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$73K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$67K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$59K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$61K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$58K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$60K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$69K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Science Majors in Anaheim
Aquatic Biology Degree in Anaheim — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Aquatic Biology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Anaheim.